[67Firebird]

I didn't like the performance of the sabot bullets I had always used, so I decided to switch and use 385gr minnie balls. I also didn't like my scope, so I figured since I was changing loads it'd be the perfect time to change scopes too. I bought a used scope online, mounted it and then had it bore sighted.
I went out yesterday and set up to shoot, and the distance is roughly 45 yards from the picnic table to the target. I'm using a target I got from shawncat, which is roughly 3' wide with a 30" circle on it (the target, not Shawn). My first shot missed the target entirely, so I got up to about 20 yards and fired again. That shot hit about 1' to the left of the bullseye. (Impact #1)
I moved back to the picnic table, adjusted the scope about 20 clicks to the right and shot again, with this one (hit #2) hitting the same hole. I then adjusted the scope all the way right and fired twice more, and though the impacts (#3 + #4) moved right, they also dropped almost out the bottom of the ring. I didn't do any cleaning between shots, but cleaned it after I was done.
I figured that the problem must be in the scope for it to vary that wildly, but I'm no ML/BP guy so I wasn't positive. Since that was my guess, I took the scope off my 22-250 (which hasn't been fired in several years), and took it and the ML to the gun shop for a scope swap and another bore sighting. (They didn't charge me this time, even though the problem has nothing to do with them).
I got set up on the picnic table again, fired a shot and hit a couple inches high (good), and 8-10" left (#5). I adjusted the scope 12 clicks right and fired again, hitting about 4" closer to the bullseye #6).
Having read MailMan's post about sighting in last night, I then removed the breech plug and ran a couple wet patches through, and then a dry one. I could feel the build-up in the area where the bullet sits, so I swabbed it a bit more.
I reassembled, loaded and fired, and #7 hit about 10" above #6. I loaded back up and fired again, and once again missed the target entirely. I also noticed that today the rifle doesn't seem to kick at all, where before I was having to be careful not to get scope-ringed around my eye. (I'm using two pellets of powder).
I haven't got a clue what all of this means, other than I've only got ten shots left so it looks like ML season is over for me.

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[archer66]

Hey Kurt wanna come shoot with me???? We'll leave our guns in the truck and drink some beer!!!:rof2::rof2:

Not lauging at ya....laughing with ya!!

 

[67Firebird]

If I had more hair, I'd have pulled some of it out!

 

[archer66]

I hear ya mine ain't long enough to get ahold of to pull out or I'd be more bald than I already am. I assume you saw my thread about this same thing last night?? But it sounds to me like your problem is different than mine.

 

[catdaddy]

Been fightin the same thing all after noon.The way I started was about the same as you[also read post] shot 9 times had a beautiful 3"-4"group all 4"-5" right would've been fine if I wouldnt have clicked it 4 clicks ,12 clicks,back 3 clicks,made no sense. I cleaned after every shot. Shot once more,put crosshairs on bulleye and had Pauly click it till cross hairs hit last hole......seemed to work.Im now 2"-3" high at 60 yrds in the black,which outta be dead on at 150 yrds according to ballistic chart for 248 powerbelts with 2- 777 pellets.Good luck.:cheers:

 

[67Firebird]

I can't get it to do the same thing twice. :whinging:

 

[yankee]

what gun?? does it have a QLA?? my encore with the QLA and a minni-maxi of buff bullet will not group period, now hogdon reccomends a bore sized fiber wad betweeen the slug and the powder, this way the slug breaks the rifling clean before the wad release's gas pressure, might try it

 

[rat]

Tis why I am using open sights and limiting my shots to 50-75yds.

I dont have the time to mess with a scope.

Plus, I figure if I'm using a muzzleloader, I want it to be somewhat traditional anyway, even though its inline, sabot, .209 primer etc etc.

Kurt... can you just take the scope off and hunt with open sights in the event you dont get it ironed out with your scope?

Never know... them rascals could be in close. :wave:

 

[67Firebird]

Let's see....

It's a CVA Optima, there are no iron sights on it and I have no idea what QLA means. :whiteflag:

 

[catdaddy]

Missed the part about round balls.My manual says No roundballs.Maybe......thats it.Check your manual.:mad2::wave:

 

[Muleskinner]

Depending on what type of rifle you have, I think 100 grains for a 385 grain bullet is a little light. I would start at 110 and work my way up.

Also a lot of minnie balls are coated in wax and I have not had much luck in my gun with them.

 

[67Firebird]

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[67Firebird]

Catmech had some of these many moons ago and let me try them, and at that time they worked great. Now they're dismal failures for some reason unknown to me.
I bought the rifle used, so there was no manual and I have no idea how many pellets is the maximum.

 

[catdaddy]

Yep ,those aint round balls.You can download manual at cva.com......and stop worrying about maximum.....worry about buying a new scope.:cheers:

 

[67Firebird]

I've used two scopes with the same result, and one of them was a good one off my 22-250. I'm not so sure it's the scope anymore.

Heading to CVA. com ...

 

[archer66]

Hey Gogop here is a link to the owners manual for the CVA Optima. Just print it off or save it to your hard drive.

http://www.cva.com/pdfs/Optima_Wolf_Manual.pdf

 

[yankee]

is the end of your barrel machined so the slug sits into the barrel before it engages rifling (ie)QLA

those slugs your shooting are better suited for a 1-48 twist

believe your gun is a faster twist like 1-28

head to the local gunstore and pick up some 300 gr hornady SST sabots, start at 85 grains of 777 and i bet it'll shoot better than you can see

 

[catdaddy]

Sorry kurt i know how you scold people for not providing a link:mad2: but i'm downloading decoy pics and trying to keep up with 2 threads on dial-up.:cheers:

 

[callaojoe]

Kurt,

I just got back from the gun club, and had a heck of a time getting my son's optima dialed in..... Finally got it figured out with 90 rg loose pyrodex, and 240gr XTP sabot.

The Optima's are sposed to be optimal.... With Sabots or powerbelts...... Not sure them minnie balls will work out that good for ya.

Brendan's Optima is grouping nicely at 100 yds now.....:2thumbsup:

 

[67Firebird]

I went to their site and found the page where it lists the PDFs, but when I clicked on the one I need it was too big and the page wouldn't even open. (Dialup, like Shawn). I'll see if my brother will download it, then get it from him next time I'm down there (if I remember to take my flash drive).

My rifling stops before the muzzle, so I guess that's QLA.
Quits Lines Altogether? :hysterical:

My twist is 1:28 as mentioned by Yankee.

I still have some of the sabots that I don't like anymore, but really don't want to hunt with them. I've had two nightmare deer with sabots. (Ask Henry).

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